Vilnius Airport Temporarily Closed Due to Smuggling Balloons

The airport in Vilnius closed tonight after smugglers’ balloons appeared on radar, Reuters reported, citing LithuaniaS National Crisis Management Center.

The center stated that navigation systems detected the balloons near the airport,likely originating from Belarus and carrying contraband,according to the news portal “Delphi,” which covers news in the three Baltic republics.

“At 18:55, temporary restrictions were imposed over Vilnius Airport,” the center reported.

“Delphi” notes this is one of several instances of the airport being closed due to balloons in the past month. Lithuania has already closed its border with belarus due to air smuggling and has requested a prosecutor’s inquiry into the practise, which is considered a threat to national security.